From Bill S., [No City Provided], USA:

I think Thomas Hart is the coolest thing you have going here. Many of your other writers don't get that the web is about entertainment. Let him know.


THOMAS HART RESPONDS: Ya'll is obviously a man of distinctive taste. I'll do my best to live up to the reputation I'm developing. And Remember: There will never be enough tornados to blow away all the trailer trash...

These Guys Never Learn...

From Zach Love, Head Ghoul, LAIDP, Los Angeles, USA:

Greetin's, Cretins!

Finally, some news, and is it ever NEWS. In fact, we've got a few items on our agenda, so let's get right to it:

1) We're making some changes to The Game Of All Games. Yes, it's true, we've actually found flaws in this near-perfect pastime of ours, and we need to tell you about it. In short, the game has begun to stray from it's originally intended spirit, which was to revel in the despicability of those more fortunate and less self-conscious than ourselves. Too many of the corpus selecti in both Invitational and Junior are turning out to be relative innocents. The children and ex-husbands of those in power are not our targets. People want to root for real celebrities to die, not cancer-stricken toddlers and missing hikers. The friction in our Derby of Death has always centered around the question of who is and isn't famous, and now, the ubiquitous problem rears its ugly head yet again. So, we intend to take this foul-smelling bull by the horns, and change its scent. We've not yet worked out the exact language we'll use when we spell out our new definition of fame, but we can give you a few pointers while you bone up for the next game. We're still sold on the objectivity and immediacy of the AP, but the new guidelines to keep in mind are these:

A - Forget about the relatives (kids, parents, wives, etc.) of the rich and famous, they're not gonna count anymore. From here on out, the people you pick as celebrities must be famous in their own right, not guilty by association.

B - We're no longer going to accept those newsmakers who are making news solely on the basis of whatever illness, injury or near-death circumstance befalls them. No organ-transplantees, comatose shooting victims, or anybody else who hasn't done, said, created or performed some tangible thing to make themselves famous.

C - No executed prisoners, anywhere. America ain't so special, after all.

Now, keep in mind that The October Lee Jr. is still on, and it's still governed by the same set of rules as always, just the way they were before we wrote this letter. Nothing changes until next year. And we're probably going to cut back on the number of Lee Jrs. too.

2) Oh, that's another thing. It seems to us that with a new Lee Jr. game starting every month, the grandeur and luster of The Invitational have started to suffer. The annual contest is the backbone of this goofy little party we're throwing, and we want to keep it special. So, we'll be suspending The Lee Jrs. for a brief time while we work these changes out. Now, it's not a permanent thing, and it's ABSOLUTELY NOT because we're losing so much money. Good heavens, no. We simply want to provide a sort of natural break between the old and the new. A moat, if you will. With no drawbridge. Then, after a few days of tinkering, we'll start accepting entries for The 1999 Lee Atwater Invitational Dead Pool, complete with a $3000.00 First Prize, right around the 8th of October or so. Now, that's not so bad, is it? And there's still one more Junior game before we fuck up everything.

3) Our Director of Public Relations is back on his feet after a brief hospital stay, and he's finally come through with the promised second installment of Mudwrestling With Moses, or whatever it's called (see http://stiffs.com/chuck2.html). Those of you who keep a careful eye on The Sickticker already know that the clown you love to hate was, uh ... under the weather for a while, but he's all right now, or at least as right as he can be. In lieu of flowers, well-wishers are asked to send pharmaceutical donations to the Holly Crest Motor Hotel at 1741 Cherokee Ave. #4-B, Hollywood, CA 90028. No names, please.

That's it for now!

See you in Deadsville,
Zachariah Love, Commissioner
Drew Scharlatt, Two-Time Champion
and Greg Hicks, Bartender
The Lee Atwater Invitational Dead Pool
featuring The stiffs.com Select-O-Matic

Aww, Shucks! That's real nice of you to say,

but could you send Money, instead?...

Thanks, Rod. My letter to the Governor of Oklahoma is in the mail. I was nauseated by that news report. It should be shouted from the Statue of Liberty. F---ing idiots.

ROD RESPONDS: Thanks for continuing to visit, John, and for actually taking ACTION on this issue.

From Ron F, Hawaii, USA:

Somehow I tripped and fell into your page...it left me confused...especially the publishing part and the in and out 'interview'...what is this place? I noted you preferace the page with 'toto I'm afraid we're in Kansas again'...to the left is a brownish red graphic...a city on a clay like desert plain...it looks like seattle, with the space needle...

Where is this going..no clue. I thought or more to the point I ignored everything and focused on one word...publisher...I guess that's how I got to www.g21.net/ beyond that I can only add to the confusion by saying that I was on a page I think devoted to submarines...could have been wrong...I'm not too bright even though mom called me sunny....what is you page about? btw...my page, which is in shambles but improving by the month is http://www.marzone.com/corpsman/Ferrell.htm

Just curiously yours...


ROD RESPONDS: Ron, thanks for visiting the G21 and for taking the time to write us... But "DUH!" like it says on the cover: IT'S A MAGAZINE! In case you have never seen one before, magazines are spaces that run FEATURE ARTICLES. I did surf by your site. Cool picture, Marine.

Looks like our Altruism is showing again...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Online petition campaign begins "Million Move-on March": Aims to collect 1 million signatures by Election Day 100,000 already collected in first week September 29, 1998 (San Francisco, CA) Censure and Move On, a bipartisan online petition campaign promoting a common ground solution to the current crisis in Washington, today launched an ambitious effort to collect one million signatures by election day. The "Million Move-on March" campaign will begin with a first-stage goal of collecting 250,000 signatures by the week of October 4th, when the House of Representatives is expected to vote on impeachment hearings. The campaign, started by a husband and wife team, has already collected more than 100,000 signatures in the first week.

"We're just looking for a common-sense solution to end this impasse," said Joan Blades, co-founder of the software firm Berkeley Systems. "As Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, we don't necessarily agree on everything. But we do agree on one thing -- it's high time to move on. And, if Congress and the President can't figure out how to do this, we'll give them a million reasons to try just a bit harder."

Censure and Move On began its initial signature gathering effort on September 22, aiming to collect 10,000 signatures. With 100,000 signatures in the first week, the campaign has already far exceeded expectations. This success spurred the group to dramatically increase its signature goal to one million.

"Frankly, we've been blown away by the response," said Wes Boyd, also a co-founder of Berkeley Systems. "We spent $89.95 on a Web site, and sent out a few dozen e-mails. And now, a week later, we've got 100,000 signatures. However, we are a 100 percent volunteer effort. So, if we are truly going to reach our goal of 1 million signatures, it's essential that campaign supporters continue to spread the word."

The Comments section of the petition has been surprisingly popular. "Enough is enough!" and "Enough already!" compete for the honor of most frequent comment. The campaign has posted the first 100 comments at http://www.moveon.org/comments.htm. Another surprise is the number of individuals who have volunteered to give time to the campaign. More than eight hundred supporters have offered to help.

"The response from across the country reflects a deep concern for America's future, and expresses a powerful commitment to revitalize democracy through the active participation of its citizens," said Blades. "With more than 100,000 signatures, and with hundreds of people volunteering their time and skills, we hope that politicians in Washington will pay heed and act in the best interests of their constituencies and of our nation."

About Censure and Move On

The Censure and Move On petition can be found at http://www.moveon.org. The petition simply states that "Congress must Immediately Censure President Clinton and Move On to pressing issues facing the country."

In addition, the site includes directions for sending campaign e-mail to friends and associates, and directions for becoming more involved in the campaign. Censure and Move On is a 100 percent volunteer campaign.


From Web White, & Blue, USA:

WASHINGTON, DC, October 6, 1998 - The Markle Foundation and Harvard University's Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics, and Public Policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government today joined with industry leaders representing hundreds of Web sites to unveil "Web White & Blue Day" on October 7, an awareness campaign promoting easy access to election-related information. The campaign seeks to harness the power of the Internet to strengthen democracy by giving Internet users a more informed and authoritative voice in the 1998 elections, which are just four weeks away.

Commercial sites are leveraging their massive audience appeal to encourage participation among the broadest possible range of Internet users. More than 350 commercial and nonprofit Web sites -- including ABC News, Microsoft, the Democracy Network, Infoseek, the League of Women Voters, Compaq, Hispanic Online, iVillage and Yahoo! -- have joined together for the first time at a national level to get Americans informed about politics by displaying an icon on their homepage that links Internet users directly to the Web White & Blue site. The campaign's Web site - at www.webwhiteblue.org - will be live October 7 and remain active through the election, November 3. Web hosting services for the campaign are being provided by America Online.

The Internet recently passed a milestone in cementing its role in American politics: Last month some 20 million people used the Net to gain access to the Starr Report within 24 hours after the report was released.

"Participation in our democracy just became easier," Markle Foundation President Zoe Baird said. "Web White & Blue will insure that the vast array of political information on the Web is as accessible and user-friendly as possible. As 1998 unfolds, the public clearly feels that the Web is an important part of the political process. This unique partnership will further that trend."

Based on historical traffic records for Web usage, it is estimated that more than 25-30 million Web users will see the Web White & Blue icon throughout the campaign.

Almost 35 percent of the U.S. adult population now uses the Internet, and Americans have adopted this medium faster than they adopted television, radio, and the telephone. While citizen involvement in politics is at an all-time low - less than half of the voting age population in the U.S. voted in the 1996 election according to the Federal Election Commission - 60 percent of "connected" Americans vote, according to a 1997 study by Wired magazine.

The Internet can "fundamentally change our political process by empowering people to educate themselves," America Online Chairman and CEO Steve Case said. "Web White & Blue illustrates this tremendous power - how the Internet can provide a depth and breadth of information in one place that's simply impossible to duplicate in the traditional media."

The Web White & Blue site offers election-related resources in the following categories:

• Voter Information - polling locations and youth resources
• Your State - government and non-profit election-oriented Web sites, by state
• Issues -comprehensive issue directories, candidate positions and public opinion poll results
• Campaigns - candidate directories and more
• Election News - national, regional and state news sites
• Participate - discussion about politics and election issues

All together, Web White & Blue links to 45 Web sites that offer a range of political information, from ELECnet, which links to state, county and city sites in all 50 states, to the Center for Responsive Politics, which offers in-depth campaign finance information, to Project Vote Smart, which tracks information on more than 13,000 candidates and elected officials, to the Newspaper Association of America's Newspaperlinks.com, which is creating a new directory of local election coverage by its 850 members.

The more than 350 web sites carrying the Web White & Blue icon represent organizations ranging from major Internet search engines and services, to media organizations, online directories and general-interest sites that focus on sports - types of Web sites not usually associated with politics.

"The value of the commitment by commercial sites to putting the Web White & Blue icon on their homepage cannot be overstated," said Baird. "It means that millions more Internet users will visit the site, and we hope they will be motivated by what they see to actively participate in the political process."

Web White & Blue has also attracted wide online involvement by families, local governments, small businesses, libraries and local citizens' groups.

"What we learn from Web White & Blue about educating voters on-line in 1998 will help us make the Internet more effective for voters in the presidential election in 2000," said Marvin Kalb, director of Harvard's Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy.

The John and Mary R. Markle Foundation is a private, not-for-profit grantmaking foundation that was incorporated in 1927 in the state of New York by John Markle and his wife, Mary R. Markle. The Foundation has assets of $180 million, and makes charitable contributions of approximately $9 million per year in the development and use of technologies of communication and information to enhance lifelong learning and promote an informed citizenry.

The Media and Political Participation program aims to study the democratic process and develop new practices for how media and technology can improve citizen participation in national politics. Currently, the Markle Foundation supports applied research on political campaigns and creates innovative experiments that use new media technologies to enhance political dialogue, deliberation and participation among citizens.

The Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy is a Harvard research center dedicated to exploring the intersection of press, politics and public policy in theory and practice. The Center strives to bridge the gap between journalists and scholars and, increasingly, between them and the public. Through teaching and research at the Kennedy School of Government and through its program of fellows and conferences, the Center is at the forefront of discussions in this area.

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